To create a different type of discussion on distribution, Tribeca Enterprises Chief Creative Officer Geoffrey Gilmore started off the Tribeca Talks panel Is the Sky Falling? saying that he "intentionally did not want the same eight people talking." The 90-minute, free panel held at Chelsea Clearview Cinemas featured Paul Cohen, a legendary film distributor who now teaches budding filmmakers at Florida State University and Eamonn Bowles, president of Magnolia Pictures, both of whom provided insight into how the industry has radically shifted on the buying and selling side. They were joined by three innovative filmmakers, all at different stages of their careers: Ted Hope, the founder of This Is That who has produced over sixty films; producer Arvind Nathan David, whose film The Infidel is premiering at Tribeca this year; and Marc Simon, who did the documentaries After Innocence and Nursery University. Nikkole Denson-Randolph, who is spearheading AMC's specialty alternative content, and Efe Cakarel, founder of The Auteurs, an online distributor, among other things offered critical insight into the challenges of theatrical releases and the multiple platforms through which film can now be inhaled.
 
Initially, the discussion centered on the generational shifts in the content of films. Gilmore, Hope, and Bowles were concerned that younger filmmakers were not creating work that was as profound as some of their predecessors, with some exceptions. Hope, whose passion for film was palpable, says he watches about two films a day and spoke of his own difficulty navigating which films he chooses to watch. Cohen agreed, stating that a filmmaker today is competing with the economy, other media platforms, and more movies than ever when trying to find and grow an audience. Cakarel was quick to explain that "technology itself isn't the issue," but how filmmakers engage with it and their audiences.
 
Due to the onslaught of variables facing filmmakers, a recurring theme throughout the panel was the subject of the filmmaker’s role. Simon, who Gilmore stated is unusual in his business focus, argued that filmmaking is a business and not an art. He emphasized that filmmakers need to know who their audience is from the get-go and engage them even before the film is released. Hope agreed that filmmakers need to be both artistic and entrepreneurial, saying, "Filmmakers today need to take responsibility for both the art and the frame."
 
There were suggestions from all of the panelists—most notably Bowles, who pointed out that Magnolia Productions is "agnostic" in its approach to distribution. They have started to premiere their films on demand on television for a premium that has been successful with hard-core fans and early adapters. David revealed how his own production company created an iPhone game and application, and used Facebook to help build its film's audience. Carakel was enthusiastic about how artistic and entrepreneurial ambitions feed one another, citing that art house films require educating their audience, and education needs to be made accessible. Ultimately, Hope said, "Filmmakers need to be champions of film," an effort the Oscar-winning producer continues to engage in.

The intelligent discussion only continued when it was opened up to the audience. A 22-year-old film buff noted his own frustration with older generations who are unfamiliar with technology’s potential to generate revenues. He said, "I feel like I'm at a PTA conference." Gilmore welcomed the fiery response and reiterated how open he is to voices of different generations. As attendees rushed the stage to shake the hands of the speakers, New York filmmaker Mayhad Tousi applauded the panel for "exposing the fissures between the space of what the stake holders are clinging to and what is inevitable."

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